Helping people with the highest housing needs stay permanently housed
Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH)
Permanent Supportive Housing combines long-term housing assistance with ongoing supportive services. It is designed for people who face the highest barriers to housing stability, often because of disabling conditions, long histories of homelessness, or complex health needs. A strong PSH project is a housing-and-services partnership built for long-term stability, not a short-term rent program.
What problem does this solve?
Some people cannot become or remain housed with short-term help alone. PSH addresses the need for a stable home plus continuing support so people with the greatest barriers do not cycle between homelessness, hospitals, institutions, shelters, and the street.
This may be a good fit if...
Your organization already provides housing case management, supportive services, clinical care, or has committed partners who do.
You can support participants over time, not just during move-in.
You understand landlord relationships, tenant support, crisis response, and housing retention.
You can document participant eligibility, service needs, outcomes, and grant compliance.
This may not be the best fit if...
Your idea is mainly short-term rent help or one-time emergency assistance.
You do not have a plan for ongoing services after move-in.
You do not yet have housing partners, service partners, or staff capacity for intensive support.
You are looking for a simple, low-reporting grant with few compliance requirements.
What would the program actually do?
A person with high housing barriers is identified through coordinated entry, the local process for matching people to housing help.
The provider helps the participant secure housing, complete paperwork, and move in.
The project pays eligible housing costs and provides ongoing services based on the participant need.
Staff help with benefits, health care, behavioral health support, landlord communication, and crisis planning.
The participant remains permanently housed with support adjusted over time.
What can funding usually support?
Rental assistance or leasing for permanent housing.
Supportive services such as case management, benefits support, housing stabilization, and service coordination.
Operating costs when the project design allows them.
Homeless Management Information System data work, unless a comparable database is required.
Project administration for eligible grant management activities.
What should you have ready?
Do you already serve people with high housing barriers, disabling conditions, or long histories of homelessness?
Can you document need, housing outcomes, and participant eligibility?
Do you have staff or partners who can provide ongoing supportive services?
Do you have a housing plan, landlord relationships, or property partnerships?
Can you participate in HMIS or required reporting and manage federal grant compliance?
Think this might fit?
Start with a Letter of Intent
If your organization can pair permanent housing assistance with strong ongoing services, submit a Letter of Intent. The LOI helps the local team understand your concept and talk through whether PSH is the right path.